CoolSculpting — scientifically known as cryolipolysis — is essentially a procedure to freeze (and thereby kill), fat cells. Here’s how the FDA-approved treatment works: An applicator (think of it sort of like a giant vacuum hose) applies suction to the area you want to target. “The applicator then applies carefully regulated cooling plates to bring fat cells down to a temperature at which they are irreversibly damaged,” Darren Smith, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, tells Allure. For most areas, the process takes about 35 minutes.

After the deep-freeze damage to the fat cells, they will eventually die and be eliminated by the body — a process which takes a little time. You’ll start to see results after a few weeks with the final effects revealed in three months, Smith says.

In theory, CoolSculpting can tackle just about any unwanted bulge — it’s FDA-approved for the abdomen, “love handles,” thighs, upper arms, “bra fat,” back fat, “banana roll” underneath your butt, and “double chin” — but there is one big caveat: you have to have “enough fat for the applicator to adhere to,” Stephen Greenberg, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and Florida, tells Allure. In other words, there has to be enough fat to pinch for the treatment to work.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
CoolSculpting procedures use rounded paddles in one of four sizes to suction your skin and fat “like a vacuum,” says Roostaeian. While you sit in a reclined chair for up to two hours, cooling panels set to work crystallizing your fat cells. “It’s a mild discomfort that people seem to tolerate pretty well,” he says. “[You experience] suction and cooling sensations that eventually go numb.” In fact, the procedural setting is so relaxed that patients can bring laptops to do work, enjoy a movie, or simply nap while the machine goes to work.

What is Cryo T-Shock?

Cryo T Shock breaks down fat cells by starting the treatment with heat then a prolonged period of cold then heat again. This process lowers the temperature of the targeted fat cells to between 6 and -6 degrees C triggering a phenomenon called apoptosis (a natural controlled cell death). Then the body naturally flushes the fat cells out through the bloodstream and then the lymphatic system in a few days to weeks following the treatment. It is a safe, painless and a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. It is most similar to “Cool Sculpting” but is less expensive, painless, and more effective.

Once damaged, the fat cells are swept away by the body’s lymphatic system. Just like CoolSculpting, it takes about three months to see full results.

Cryo T-Shock is currently FDA-approved to treat the stomach, “love handles,” back, thighs, and the “double chin.” Most treatments take about 25 minutes.  It is a more pleasant experience than Cool Sculpting, less expensive, and less time consuming than CoolSculpting.

What’s the difference between Cool Sculpting and Cryo T-Shock?

 

Both machines offer cryolipolysis.  Cool Sculpting’s technique uses a solid block that applies suction to the treatment area.  The excess fat is sucked into a block and you’re then left alone for roughly 45 minutes. Cool Sculpting is a minimal hands-on treatment and leaves your skin with what looks like a stick of ‘lard’ where the applicator was placed.  The results from Cool Sculpting can take upwards of 3 months to see a difference. More often that not, the rectangle that is left in your skin may not actually break down and flush out of your system leaving you with a hardened block of compressed dead fat cells known as PAH. PAH is typically removed with liposuction.  

Cryo T-Shock uses a hand-held wand that applies both heat and cold initiating thermal shock to the fat cells.  Thermal shock helps to break down the dead fat cells so your body can dispose of them easier. Not only are Cryo T-Shock’s treatments significantly lower in price, it is proven to be more effective.  It is a service that can be done 10-14 days apart depending how quickly your lymphatic system flows. A medium to large package deal (5-10 sessions) with the Cryo T-Shock can run the same amount as a single Cool Sculpting treatment.

Although PAH is possible with both machines there is a significantly lower risk factor with the Cryo T-Shock solely due to the hands-on massage technique we use with the wand of the T-Shock.  PAH is caused by a static hold of extreme cold temperatures to one isolated area for too long. The symptoms of PAH are much worse with Cool Sculpting even over Pagani’s new Cryoskin 4.0 which has a static hold freeze with a flat surface, no suction involved.  The Cryo T-Shock applies a handheld wand to fatty tissue areas up to an 8×10 area. Because there is a practitioner doing the freeze the risk of PAH is very minimal compared to similar services offering cryolipolysis.